Births on February 10

Lilly King

Born on February 10, 1997

Lilly King, American swimmer

Lilly King: An American Swimming Icon in Breaststroke

Lillia Camille King, born on February 10, 1997, is a formidable American competitive swimmer, widely recognized for her unparalleled prowess in the demanding breaststroke discipline. This swimming stroke requires a unique blend of strength, timing, and technical precision, all of which King exemplifies in her powerful and often aggressive race strategy. Her remarkable career is marked by multiple Olympic medals, world records, and consistent dominance on the international stage, establishing her as one of the sport's most compelling figures.

Olympic Triumphs and Unwavering Spirit

2016 Rio Summer Olympics: Defining Moments

Her breakout moment on the global stage arrived at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There, King captivated audiences and asserted her dominance with two gold medals, making a powerful statement in the swimming world.

100 Meter Breaststroke Gold: In a highly anticipated and fiercely competitive final, King secured the gold medal in the 100 meter breaststroke. This victory was particularly memorable for her outspoken stance on clean sport, which resonated widely within the swimming community.
4x100 Meter Medley Relay Gold: She also earned a second gold medal as part of the victorious United States 4x100 meter medley relay team. Her powerful breaststroke leg was instrumental in securing the team's triumph, showcasing the critical importance of each specialist in this strategic event where backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle swimmers combine their efforts.

2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics (Held in 2021): Continued Excellence

Despite the global challenges that led to the postponement of the event, King continued her Olympic medal haul at the 2020 Summer Olympics, held in Tokyo, Japan, in 2021. Demonstrating her sustained excellence and versatility, she added three more medals to her collection, solidifying her status as a top-tier breaststroker.

Silver Medal - 4x100 Meter Medley Relay: King contributed significantly to the United States' performance in the 4x100 meter medley relay, earning a silver medal for her efforts in the preliminary heats, which helped advance the team to the final where they secured the silver.
Silver Medal - 200 Meter Breaststroke: Further showcasing her range and endurance, King claimed a silver medal in the longer 200 meter breaststroke event, demonstrating her ability to excel beyond her primary 100-meter specialty.
Bronze Medal - 100 Meter Breaststroke: She also secured a hard-fought bronze medal in her signature 100 meter breaststroke, maintaining her presence on the podium in one of swimming's most competitive events.

Dominance in Professional Swimming: The International Swimming League

Beyond traditional national and Olympic competitions, King is a key athlete for the Cali Condors, one of the leading franchises in the International Swimming League (ISL). The ISL is a groundbreaking professional team-based competition designed to elevate swimming to a global entertainment sport, offering year-round opportunities for elite swimmers. As part of the Cali Condors, a team that has achieved significant success, including multiple championships, King plays a crucial role in the competitive landscape of professional swimming, bringing her powerful breaststroke to a global audience.

World Record Holder: A Benchmark of Speed

Lilly King is distinguished as the current world record holder in the long course (50-meter pool) 100 meter breaststroke. She set this remarkable benchmark with an astounding time of 1:04.13 at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. This record underscores her status as one of the fastest breaststroke swimmers in history over this distance, an achievement that cemented her legacy in the sport and continues to inspire aspiring swimmers worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lilly King

When was Lilly King born?: Lillia Camille King was born on February 10, 1997.
What is Lilly King's primary swimming specialization?: She is primarily known for her exceptional skill and dominance in breaststroke events.
Which professional team does Lilly King represent?: Lilly King currently competes for the Cali Condors, a prominent team within the International Swimming League (ISL).
What major medals did Lilly King win at the 2016 Summer Olympics?: At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she won a gold medal in the 100 meter breaststroke and another gold in the 4x100 meter medley relay.
What major medals did Lilly King win at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics?: At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), she secured a silver medal in the 4x100 meter medley relay, a silver in the 200 meter breaststroke, and a bronze in the 100 meter breaststroke.
What is Lilly King's current world record?: She holds the long course (50-meter pool) world record in the 100 meter breaststroke, set with a time of 1:04.13 at the 2017 FINA World Championships.

References

Lilly King

Choose Another Date

Events on 1997

19 Jan

Hebron
Yasser Arafat returns to Hebron after more than 30 years and joins celebrations over the handover of the last Israeli-controlled West Bank city.
21 Jan

Newt Gingrich
The U.S. House of Representatives votes 395-28 to reprimand Newt Gingrich for ethics violations, making him the first Speaker of the House to be so disciplined.
5 Feb

The Holocaust
The so-called Big Three banks in Switzerland announce the creation of a $71 million fund to aid Holocaust survivors and their families.
2 Jun

Oklahoma City bombing
In Denver, Timothy McVeigh is convicted on 15 counts of murder and conspiracy for his role in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, in which 168 people died. He was executed four years later.
1 Jul

Tony Blair
China resumes sovereignty over the city-state of Hong Kong, ending 156 years of British colonial rule. The handover ceremony is attended by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prince Charles of Wales, Chinese President Jiang Zemin, and U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.